The MARQ will host tomorrow, 19 November, the videoconference on the Nebra's celestial discThe talk will unravel the details of an exceptional piece of work considered, with almost 4,000 years oldone of the oldest representations of the celestial vault.
The round table will be composed of Juan Antonio López Padillaarchaeologist at the Archaeological Museum of Alicante, Roberto Rischof the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and Harald Mellerdirector of the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle and coordinator of the research on this unique piece, which is currently preserved and exhibited in the German museum.
Discovered by grave robbers and rescued from the black market by the German authorities at the beginning of the 20th century, all hypotheses point to it being a calendar based on the observation of the moon and stars. This was determined by an exhaustive study of his chronology and the materials used in their production -bronze and gold-.but above all the hidden meaning behind the lunar and solar symbols and star studding on the front of the disc.
The analysis of Nebra's disc radically changed the concept that had been held until then in Europe of the Antique Bronze. The calendar would have served the purposes of a ruling elite over a vast territory in southern Germany for more than 500 years. Kings and princes of that civilisation, known as the Unetice Culturehave many aspects in common with the culture of El Argar found in the Iberian Peninsula.
Meller is the author of The celestial disc of Nebra: The key to an extinct civilisation in the heart of EuropeIn this book, he reveals the details known so far about the disc, from its discovery to the unknowns about its authenticity or its relationship with the 'pharaonic' tombs of the princes of Unetice.
The videoconference will be transmitted live from MARQ and can be followed in person on the screen in the auditorium until full capacity is reached.
